We are suckers for a room with a killer view. We find that we are even more likely to forgive some minor hotel inconveniences if we can stare out the window at something pretty--yeah we are that shallow. Let's help out our fellow hotel mavens by uploading rooms with killer views to the HotelChatter/Flickr photo pool, or by sending the photo along to us. We will feature our favorites in this space from time to time. Remember to tell us the name of the hotel and the room number of the hot view.
With thanks to HotelChatter tipster Michelle, we're pretty happy to bring you a rather nice killer view from Room 1020 of the Condado Plaza Hotel and Casino in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We're big fans of views of vast oceans, they seem to free our minds up so much ... and a few romantically waving palm trees in the distance are also good for the soul.
Apparently the hotel, which has just been renovated, is the only one that boasts views over the ocean as well as the Condado Lagoon, so it sounds like a large proportion of their rooms will have some kind of pretty impressive view.
El Conquistador Hotel in Puerto Rico is an extremely pretty cliffside resort that is set up as five villages full of villas (there are also 750 rooms, but the villas are where it's at), set around a good size indoor outdoor lobby, a casino, and a sprawling pool area.
If you stay here, and don't rent a car, you are going to be tied to the resort grounds for most of your stay. Don't fret though, there is a steakhouse and a Starbucks on-site, as well as plenty of other shops and restaurants.
Remember, while this highly-touted Puerto Rico resort it is old, and shows its wear in spots. Furthermore, if you want to spend your time away on a Puerto Rico beach, you will need to ride the funicular then hop on a boat to Palomino Island, which is just off sure. If this short trip to the beach sounds like a fun adventure to you, this is probably your kind of resort, if it sounds like a pain in the ass to you, you will be better off at the Ritz.
Either way, you can't deny this resorts stunning beauty, take a look at the photos we snapped below.
If you have your heart set on staying the night inside the walls of Old San Juan you will no doubt consider El Convento Hotel, which is a former convent in the middle of the historic walled town.
Be prepared, there are no ocean front rooms here, nor any beach or sprawling pool area to speak of. This is a charming old Spanish Colonial property with some updates (flat screen television and wireless access). However, the maze of terraces and quiet sitting areas, some offering day-long complimentary beverage service, along with the impossible to beat location are reasons why folks choose to stay here.
If you are looking to stay in a quiet location that is still in the midst of the Old San Juan action -- this is your place, if you are looking for ocean views and beach access, move along.
Rooms can be scored for under $200 depending on availability and the season.
The Gran Melia Puerto Rico is a bit isolated, but hey, that is what many island goers are looking for. While you won't find the all night antics of San Juan right outside your door, you will find ping pong, pool, kid size chess, beautiful. Oh, and forgive us for the shaky walking, no, no one was drinking.
Location:
Northeast of the island, between San Juan and Fujardo. You are going to need a car if you stay here and want to explore the island. Coco Beach is nearby, but for everything else you will have to drive down to the highway and drive the 45 minutes to San Juan, or points beyond.
Neighborhood:
Golf course and ocean.
Pool:
Not extremely crowded, very spread out. There is a swim up bar, pool side games, and island music playing. Yes, there were kids in the pool, but not an overwhelming amount of kids. Besides, the pool leads into the rocky beach, and further down you will find a sandy beach, point being, there is plenty of space to find a quiet spot on the grounds.
What is the crowd like?
Honeymooners. The all-inclusive crowd. Family travelers and leisure travelers.
Rates This is typically an all-inclusive resort but you can stay just one night starting at $300. However, beware as extras like internet will cost more.
The best part of the The San Juan Marriott and Stellaris Casino? For us that would have to be the penthouse -- yes, yes, as always we are suckers for clear views of the norther and southern skies -- blame DirecTV.
In any event, this penthouse is not just for high rollers, and no you can not actually make a reservation to stay in the penthouse, there are no beds. If however, you are a Marriott Rewardie, or someone that has made a reservation in one of the hotels Ocean View rooms (and paid the resort fee), you get key access to this sky box, of sorts.
Up here you can have a continental breakfast, inside or al fresco, and take in the the sights and sounds of San Juan. On a clear day you can easily see all the way to Old Town San Juan, or scout out your beach spot from above.
Cubicle Dreamin' is a feature in which we ask the hotel mavens to take some time out of their busy work day, surf the Internet, and tell us what hotel they wish they could beam themselves to right that very second--all on the slave driving companies dime, of course. Oh, like these people aren't surfing aimlessly anyway--at least now their purposeless clicking will be cobbled together into useful hotel stories--we hope. Have a destination hotel you are just dying to leave your cube for? Send the story our way.
In this episode, Hotel Maven NatalieWW dreams of hanging 10. Enjoy.
Here in our cubicles, we're definitely getting cabin fever. All I can dream of is One Perfect Wave... along with One Perfect Hotel to enjoy it at. After a gnarly day of dropping in and shredding, this Shea needs a posh place to lay her head.
OK, so I'm really not a surfer. But I'd pick up the sport if it meant I got to go to a place like this:
This new guest house offers new and elegant accommodations with killer mountain and ocean views. Spacious rooms, wide verandas and hillside breezes make Surf787 the perfect lodging destination.
New in 2007, Surf787 is a small, full-service eco-resort and surf camp nestled in the tropical hills of Rincon, Puerto Rico -- known as the surfing capital of the Caribbean. Surf787 lures with incredible surfing, amazing sunsets, gourmet meals, and charming accommodations. All vacations include yoga and Pilates classes plus a daily one-hour massage!
To celebrate their inaugural season, Surf 787 is offering promotional discounts on lodging and surf lessons. They also offer a kids surf summer camp, June through September.
Very often, we're on the lookout for Hotel Opening Rates at new properties but today we have a Hotel Closing Rate, perhaps the first one we have written about.
Next month, the Martineau Bay Resort & Spa in Puerto Rico is closing for good but when the property reopens in 2008 after an $18mil makeover, it will be a brand-spanking new W Retreat & Spa, Vieques.
Those of you looking for a Puerto Rican getaway on the cheap are in luck. Right now, the hotel is offering a "Last Chance" rate for July before the hotel shutters its doors. Rates start at $189 a night and are available by calling the hotel at 1-866-837-4216. Ask for the SPARKS rate package.
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by amandak
